Followers

The afternoon classes passed quickly.

The teacher in the second class unexpectedly asked Ryan a question, but it still didn’t stump them.

When school was dismissed, Olivia couldn’t sit still and followed the two of them.

“Your Highness Ryan, I’ll be right back.”

After reaching a secluded place, Flora bid farewell to Ryan and went to Olivia.

“Olivia, is there something you need?”

Seeing the golden-haired girl’s innocent and cheerful expression, Olivia was instantly bewildered.

‘What… is going on?’

The teacher said that after the morning’s practical exercise, Olivia was almost shocked, confused, and at a loss for a long time.

She had thought of many possibilities, but none of them seemed reliable.

She couldn’t help but follow along, hoping to ask directly or see if she could glean some clues.

But the golden-haired girl’s lively and cheerful demeanor completely baffled her?

Could it be… that the other party was pretending to be ignorant now, as if nothing had happened in the morning?

“By the way, Olivia, you must remember what I said. Don’t practice swords for now, and don’t overexert yourself.

Rest well and go have fun with your friends to relax your mind and body.”

Seeing that Olivia didn’t speak, the golden-haired girl cautioned her like a mother telling her child not to be picky about food.

Olivia became even more confused and stood there blankly.

“Come, raise your hands.”

The golden-haired girl commanded, and Olivia subconsciously obeyed the command, obediently raising her arms to her sides.

She was wearing a noble school uniform, and she put her hands behind her chest, took a step back, and shyly called out:

“Flora, what are you doing?”

“This armor is too heavy, wearing it for a long time isn’t good for your body…

By the way, Olivia, why are you wearing this thing over your school uniform? Aren’t you hot?”

Seeing the golden-haired girl’s worried expression, similar to Hana and Sophia’s, Olivia quickly took a step forward and said solemnly:

“I think this is the training and refinement that is essential to become an excellent knight.”

“That’s not true at all, Olivia, take off your armor.”

“But…”

“No buts. If you really want to become stronger, then do as I say.”

Whether she was intimidated by the events of the morning, or simply couldn’t refuse the kindness of someone friendly to her, or perhaps deep down she felt that the other person might be related to her most respected teacher…

Olivia inexplicably couldn’t refuse Flora’s instructions and had to take off her armor obediently.

To be honest, doing so made her body feel lighter, and her speed should have increased, but she didn’t feel like she would become stronger.

After all, she had also taken off this armor before sparring with Ryan.

“Remember, you don’t need to wear the armor again until next week’s course selection. Rest your body well and don’t practice swords.”

After hearing the golden-haired girl’s instructions, Olivia sat cross-legged with her head bowed.

She needed to relearn the armor. Flora walked several steps, then felt something was wrong and turned back.

“Wait, wait, Flora!”

“What’s wrong?” Flora turned back calmly.

Olivia realized that the conversation rhythm was completely controlled by the other party and stopped dawdling:

“Who exactly are you?”

“I can’t tell you,” Flora said.

“Huh?”

Olivia was stunned. She had anticipated many situations, but frankly, she didn’t expect Flora not to pretend to be ignorant, nor to be frank, but instead to be cryptic.

“Olivia, who do you think I am?” Flora asked in return.

“Leonardo’s sister?” Olivia guessed.

“Then that’s it.”

“How can that be?”

Olivia couldn’t accept it.

Flora lowered her head sheepishly.

“I’m sorry, but I really can’t say. I don’t want to make up a reason to deceive you.”

“This…”

Olivia actually knew that Flora was doing this to help her.

No matter how many doubts she had, she couldn’t repay kindness with ingratitude.

Moreover, Flora made it clear that she had hidden difficulties and frankly said she didn’t want to use deception… this was already as forthcoming as possible without touching the bottom line.

And so—

“No, I misunderstood you,” a look of apology flashed across the golden-haired girl’s face, and she dismissed the idea of getting to the bottom of things.

“Olivia, please don’t speak of this.”

“That goes without saying; I won’t tell anyone.”

“Olivia… thank you for trusting me.”

Flora expressed her gratitude.

After talking with Flora, she pretended to reflect on her previous ambiguous actions, intending to better handle this matter—since she was willing to expose her strength to help Olivia, she should do her best with the follow-up work as well.

Therefore, based on her previous understanding of Olivia, she adopted this method, and its main advantage was that Olivia was easily soft-hearted and grateful.

Although it didn’t completely dispel Olivia’s doubts, as long as things didn’t lean towards her revealing her strength and going in a bad direction… that would be enough.

“But is this kind of negative and lazy approach really effective?”

Olivia looked at the armor in her hand with reluctance, as if she wanted to put it on again immediately.

“It will definitely be effective, as long as you listen to me, Olivia….”

Seeing the golden-haired girl’s undeniable expression, Olivia was stunned for a moment.

Without any reason, she thought of that person.

Although she only unilaterally regarded that person as her teacher, that person had never taught her so gently.

But for some reason, Olivia had this illusion.

‘No, that’s not right, what am I thinking?’

After the golden-haired girl’s memory, the numerous images of the “golden-haired girl” in Olivia’s mind all turned into that person.

Because that person couldn’t possibly be here.

And couldn’t possibly become a maid and stay by the Crown Prince’s side… after all, that person was the teacher of His Highness, Arugos.

Furthermore, that person was usually rather cold, even somewhat aloof, and always wary of everyone.

Only when encountering the Lygaria family would that person reveal a slightly gentle expression.

Although she hadn’t had much contact with that person since they left the Ross family seven years ago.

But it was still hard to imagine that person becoming as expressive, friendly, and overall enthusiastic and cheerful as the golden-haired girl…

‘Right, didn’t I say not to explore Flora’s secret?’

Olivia shook her head desperately in her heart.

Even so, she still couldn’t let it go.

After all, that person had always been her goal.

She had also always wanted to say something very important to that person.

Unfortunately, she never had the opportunity.

Her letters were like stones cast into the sea… and not everything could be said in letters.

She wanted to join the Heavenly Knight Order, but was rejected.

If Flora were that person’s relative or something…

‘Observe for a while,’

Olivia wasn’t stupid; she actually guessed that Sean and Flora wanted to recruit her.

But her goal had always been only to follow that person.